Falcons Star Shaquille Dixon Runs Like No Other

Falcons Player of the Week

Name: Shaquille Dixon

Grade: Junior

What Impressed Us: He ran the ball 21 times and caught two big passes in Dunedin's 9-6 last Friday.

The game momentum clearly shifted to Gibbs High when the team scored its first points midway through the fourth quarter.

Falcons coach Max Smith agreed a first down on the ensuing drive could be the difference in the outcome of the tight and well-fought game.

Dunedin called a timeout with just over five minutes left on the clock and right before the crucial third-and-five.

"Shaquille Dixon and (quarterback Anthony) Diviney called the screen pass. It was their idea. Sometimes the players suggest plays that don't make sense but this did, so we went with it," Smith said.

Dixon took the pass and ran for 10 yards before he was horse-collared down, which initiated a 15-yard penalty and gave Dunedin what it needed to run out the clock.

"Normally we try to even out the carries between Dixon and . He ran the ball really well," Smith said. "What I was most impressed with was his blocking. If you don't block you don't get the ball."

Dunedin Patch caught up with Dixon this week:

Patch: Did you ever play any other sports or do you still?

Dixon: "Bowling and soccer in middle school and I was good at them both."

Do you have any family members who have played at a higher level of sports?

"Yes an older brother, like, a big brother, he plays linebacker at Ole Miss. His name is Mike Marry. He went to Largo."

What are your plans when you graduate from ?

"I want to go to USF to play football if possible, I have not been contacted by any scouts. They say your junior year is the most important so I hope the coaches are sending out the tapes. I want to become a firefighter if I don't go to college."

What subject at DHS do you like the most?

"Electricity class."

Do you have a memorable play in your football career?

"Junior varsity year, I had a kick return. First defender ran to hit me and I lowered my shoulder and my head and knocked his helmet off."

Who is your favorite NFL team and what player do you aspire to?

"The Philadelphia Eagles. My favorite running back is LeSean McCoy, I like his moves, his blocking and his running. You can learn a lot by watching him on TV."

Did you do any training in the off season?

"I trained all summer, at the high school. Sometimes I went to the church field down the street and worked out with my nephew Zamantae Larry. He will be a freshmen next year."

Watch Dixon as the Dunedin Falcons face Riverview's Spoto High School at home tonight (Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m.). Dunedin is 2-3.

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